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January 17, 2013

FINRA Launches Phone Mediation

The lower-cost alternative is voluntary and open to cases involving claims of $50,000 or less

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The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) announced Wednesday that it has launched a pilot program offering parties in simplified cases pro bono or reduced-fee telephone mediation.

Participation in the pilot program, which began on Jan.15, is voluntary and open to cases involving claims of $50,000 or less, FINRA says.

“Telephone mediation is a lower-cost alternative, and would benefit dispute resolution forum users in many ways,” said Linda Fienberg, president of FINRA Dispute Resolution, in a statement. “Besides eliminating the travel and preparation costs typically associated with in-person mediation, telephonic mediation offers greater convenience and flexibility, and is a practical alternative for all parties involved.”

Mediators would serve on a pro bono basis on cases involving claims of $25,000 or less in damages. Reduced-fee mediation ($50 per hour) would be available on cases with damage claims between $25,000.01 and $50,000. FINRA says it will not charge any administrative fee for these cases.